The crossvine, Bignonia capreolata, is a vigorous, woody vine with branched tendrils attached to adhesive disks. The flowers and foliage of this plant are primarily grown for their attractiveness and ability to cover structures rapidly. In contrast, compound leaves are bifoliate. Dark green leaflets with branched tendrils between them vary in size from lanceolate to oblong. Tendrils can be easily attached to walls by adhesive disks at their ends. Leaf color remains evergreen in the south but changes to reddish-purple in the fall, with leaf drops in colder climates. Early spring brings fragrant, trumpet-shaped, yellow-orange, and red flowers (to 2 inches long) that cluster in clusters (2-5 flowered cymes). The pod-like seeds mature in late summer and persist into the fall. Greenish, pod-like, and up to 7 inches long, the seeds are greenish.
This vine is in the same family and closely related to Campsis radicans, commonly known as trumpet vine.
The plant grows well in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. It tolerates full shade, but best flower production occurs in full sun. If necessary, prune after flowering. In USDA Zone 5, above-ground stems may die to the ground in severe winters (roots are typically hardy there and sprout new growth the following spring). Established plants may send up root suckers which should be removed if the spread is not desired.
